The earphone market is undeniably saturated these days with all established and start-up electronic brands now in on the game. Each has released a consistent succession of products; subtle variations of what is essentially the same design and incorporated technology. Few have fundamentally challenged the now well-established typology, other than introducing a few performative improvements or nuanced formal modification.
The standard configuration is curvilinear, organic, but also clunky, and at times, slippery. These devices are almost always conducive with a manufacturer’s overall design language, more often than not better articulated in their tablets, smartphones, watches, and laptops. All too often, the consistency of brand identity supersedes aesthetic distinction and even, enhancements in function.
Breaking the mold—metaphorically and literally—are Bang & Olufsen’s (B&O) recently debuted Beo Grace earphones; sculptural statement pieces first and foremost. With this new proposal of sorts, the Danish producer has bridged the classification of listening device and adornment; making a clever, and seemingly obvious, ontological leap no other producer has attempted.
In its form-finding mission, B&O’s design team arrived at the universal form of a slim cylinder. Fundamental is appearance but also handling, the carefully proportioned geometric shape happens to also ameliorate use. Even if rendered in a seemingly weightless polished aluminum, the stem component is far easier to use than a perilous, amorphously moulded plastic shell that more quickly drops out of one’s fingers. Tactile controls—increasing or lowering the volume; initiating play, pause, and skip—make more sense in this configuration.
The dangling, iridescent objects—not gadgets—take on the characteristics of experimental yet refined earring designs when worn. Emphasising that association is the soft-leather-bound, purse-like case pouch. The case, itself, is made out of pearl-blasted aluminium. Its silhouette seamlessly contours and nestles-in one’s hand. It doesn’t fly off in one direction when its over-engineered hinge aggressively opens, like some alternative products.
The main earpieces are straight forward and pared back enough to perceivably disappear when inserted into one’s ears. The technology isn’t an afterthought, however. This component has a 12mm titanium driver in an extremely small form factor, sited behind precision-milled aluminium grills. Beo Grace is also equipped with spatial audio for a natural, speaker-like listening experience and B&O’s most advanced noise cancellation tech. The custom designed battery management system surpasses the already industry exceeding 2,000 charge cycles benchmark.
Very little is left to be desired in this graceful—precious yet robust—jewel of an earphone.
To shop B&O’s Beo Grace earphones, priced at $1,500 USD, visit bang-olufsen.com.
Photography provided by Bang & Olufsen.